Cultivation Starting from Full Talent-Chapter 652 - 650: Look, You’re in a Rush Again

"What?"

A group of Divine Fire Sect disciples stared in shock.

"He actually defeated Master Uncle Long Zaiyang, the guardian of the seventy-first floor?"

Many of them looked as if they had seen a ghost, unable to believe that this Guest Elder who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere could overcome Long Zaiyang and pass the seventy-first-floor hurdle.

"This..."

Long Jiyu stood dumbfounded atop the mountain peak, all traces of his previous arrogance gone.

"Hmph~~~"

In the crowd, only Chen Ningfeng let out a faint smile, though inwardly he was breathing a sigh of relief.

...

Divine Fire Tower, seventy-second floor.

The room was brightly lit, and positioned at the center of the floor was an elder monk holding a Zen staff, his body radiating golden light, giving him an appearance of supreme holiness.

"Greetings, young friend."

This elder monk turned out to be a cultivator of the Buddhist Path.

"This junior is Ning Daoran, recently appointed Guest Elder of the Divine Fire Sect. May I ask who senior might be?" ƒгeewёbnovel.com

"Oh?"

The monk chuckled, "What a coincidence. I am Master Kumu, like yourself, also a Guest Elder. I was once the Sect Master’s close friend and honored guest for many years, back when I was alive. Now, countless millennia have passed, and my physical body has long since perished. Reflecting on this truly fills one with boundless emotion."

"Junior greets Senior Kumu."

Ning Daoran offered a light fist salute as he activated his Divine Sense for a brief scan.

This Master Kumu was similarly at Nascent Soul Middle Stage, though his aura was stronger than Long Zaiyang’s. Furthermore, as he was not originally part of the Divine Fire Sect, it was likely that his cultivation methods belonged to the Buddhist Path—undoubtedly formidable.

"Young friend, there’s no need for excessive words!"

Master Kumu swept his Zen staff, chuckling, "I’m eager to see what you can do."

"Very well."

Ning Daoran smiled slightly, his foot lightly tapping the ground as streams of Golden Silk Sword radiated outward. Simultaneously, a massive deep-blue Liangyi Eight Trigrams Star Formation took shape beneath his feet.

"Sword Heart Clarity? Dual Yin Sword Intent?"

Master Kumu blinked in astonishment but soon laughed, "Young friend, such proficiency! You’ve even cultivated the Liangyi Sect’s Mountain Suppressing Absolute Techniques to the Returning to Nature Level. Truly eye-opening!"

As he spoke, Master Kumu suddenly struck the ground with his Zen staff, setting off a surge of golden dragon-shaped power around him, exuding profound majesty.

’Hmm?’

Ning Daoran felt a flicker of anxiety, for the monk’s spellcasting closely resembled the legendary "Great Mighty Dragon, World Venerable Ksitigarbha." If that were truly the case, he might well be outmatched.

However, the situation quickly proved that his fears were unfounded.

Master Kumu let out a dragon roar, and countless golden dragons converged around him, their vibrating forms creating a massive Golden Bell Shield that enveloped his figure entirely!

’Golden Bell Shield?’

Ning Daoran was both stunned and apprehensive. It looked extraordinarily potent, possibly at Returning to Nature Level—or at the very least Transformation Realm Level. Such a treasure skill... breaking through it would be no simple task!

"Young friend, I won’t hold back this time!"

Master Kumu took the initiative, swinging his palm outward, sending a golden palm imprint hurtling through the Golden Bell Shield. It slammed into Ning Daoran’s Dual Yin Sword Intent, causing it to buzz and clang, even developing slight fractures.

"Senior’s technique is impressive!"

As Ning Daoran retreated, lightning flashed around him, and he instantly vanished! The speed of the Nine Heavens Escape Thunder Technique was unparalleled; within moments, he reappeared behind Master Kumu, pointing a single finger as over a dozen Golden Silk Swords whizzed forth, slamming into the Golden Bell Shield.

"Clang! Clang! Clang~~~"

The crisp sounds rang incessantly as each Golden Silk Sword was deflected by the shield.

"Taste my fist!"

Ning Daoran dashed forward, delivering a full-powered punch!

"Boom~~"

The Golden Bell Shield emitted a thunderous sound. His punch, brimming with tenfold strength, was so heavy that it managed to shove the elder monk several meters backward, even with the shield still intact!

"Young friend, your physical strength is truly astounding. Remarkable!"

Master Kumu praised with words, though his hands never stopped moving. With a wave of his Zen staff, golden Zen Seals flew forth, forcing Ning Daoran to counter with sword qi to dispel them.

Thus, the two became locked in a fierce contest.

Short-term, Ning Daoran could not break through the opponent’s Golden Bell Shield, while Master Kumu’s Zen techniques were unable to pin down the nimble Ning Daoran. For the time being, neither seemed able to seize the upper hand.

...

An incense stick’s worth of time passed.

Outside Divine Fire Tower, the gathered disciples from the Divine Fire Sect were filled with mixed emotions, unable to avoid discussing the matter incessantly.

"The seventy-second-floor guardian spirit is none other than the legendary Master Kumu, a renowned Buddhist cultivator. When he served as our Guest Elder, he contributed multiple great achievements. Could Ning Guest Elder actually defeat him?"

"Impossible! Master Kumu’s Golden Bell Shield has been cultivated to the Transformation Realm and is practically impenetrable. Even Senior Brother Long Jiyu failed multiple times to break through the Golden Bell Shield, always retreating in mere defeat. While Ning Guest Elder is undoubtedly skilled, he is ultimately only a Nascent Soul Early Stage cultivator. Breaking Master Kumu’s Golden Bell Shield is simply inconceivable."

"Indeed, throughout history, Master Kumu has never lost to a Nascent Soul Early Stage disciple, and Ning Guest Elder will likely be no exception."

"Exactly. Senior Brother Long is absolutely right."

Meanwhile, atop the solitary peak, Long Jiyu gazed up at the sky.

He was most distressed. Ning Daoran’s victory would mean surpassing him, taking the sixth rank in the Divine Fire Tower standings, and depriving him of the opportunity to train in the Fierce Sun Sky Pool. Losing the chance to advance to Nascent Soul Middle Stage would be an unbearable setback.

...

Inside Divine Fire Tower.

Amidst the continuous clashing sounds, sparks flew incessantly, and the radiance of Golden Silk Swords gleamed as they relentlessly struck the Golden Bell Shield. Yet, after an incense stick’s worth of effort, the shield remained unshattered.

Master Kumu’s Golden Bell Shield was indeed indestructible!

"Young friend."

Master Kumu’s gaze was calm as he said, "This space is the Artifact Spirit World of Divine Fire Tower. Allow me to offer young friend a reminder: the artifact spirit’s power draws from the tower itself, granting me unlimited mana reserves, whereas you, on the other hand, expend your mana with every use. A prolonged battle favors me and disadvantages you. Please consider carefully."

"Thank you for the advice, Senior."

Ning Daoran nodded.

Next moment, he raised a finger, summoning a misty Immortal Vine bursting into the air—his recently cultivated Water Vine. Surrounding its thorn-filled, bristling form were wisps of Gui Water Essence Qi, one of Ning Daoran’s trump cards.

"Whoosh~~~"

Dozens of Water Vines suddenly shot out from all directions, leaving the elder monk no room to react as they encased his Golden Bell Shield completely. Instantly, "zzz" sounds erupted as the Gui Water Essence Qi began its unrelenting corrosion!

"The Power of Menstruation?"

Master Kumu narrowed his eyes, "Interesting, but this alone cannot make me concede."

"Naturally."

Ning Daoran smiled faintly, his right hand flicking as a streak of firelight vanished into the void. In moments, dozens of Fire Vines bloomed in the night sky, surging downward from above and upward from below toward the Golden Bell Shield!

"Boom~~~"

With a thunderous explosion, the Fire Vines slammed into the shield!

Within Divine Fire Tower, fiery sparks flew, and Master Kumu finally began to struggle. He discarded his Zen staff, pressing his hands together and frantically channeling mana to sustain the Golden Bell Shield.

Yet under the dual onslaught of Water Vine erosion and Fire Vine impact, even the shield could not endure.

"Zzz, zzz, zzz~~~"

Cracks began to spread across the Golden Bell Shield.

"Break!"

Ning Daoran charged forward, manifesting his Dragon Demon Body. With all his might, he delivered a punch onto the Golden Bell Shield.

With a massive noise, the Golden Bell Shield finally shattered, transforming into countless pieces of golden light.

Ning Daoran instantly summoned the Chaos Immortal Vine, which wrapped Master Kumu tightly in a single motion. At the same time, a humming Golden Silk Sword hovered at the elder’s brow, poised to destroy his mind.

"Young friend, I concede."

Master Kumu smiled bitterly, "Possessing such powerful techniques, why didn’t you reveal them sooner? You had me believing the Golden Bell Shield could hold you at bay."

"I beg Senior’s forgiveness."

Ning Daoran saluted respectfully, "This was my first time seeing such an extraordinary Golden Bell Shield. I couldn’t help but want to spar a bit more. Moreover, Senior’s mana is truly exceptional, forcing me to use my most guarded methods to secure even a slight victory. If not for the Water Vine and Fire Vine exploiting Five Elemental counterbalances, I would have stood no chance."

"Hahaha, young friend truly has a clever way of expressing things!"

Master Kumu clapped his hands, sitting cross-legged, "I’ve already conceded. Please proceed to the seventy-third floor."

"Thank you, Senior!"

Ning Daoran clasped his hands in thanks and ascended toward the seventy-third floor.

...

Outside Divine Fire Tower.

The crowd stared in disbelief.

Long Jiyu’s record had truly been surpassed.

From this moment onward, Long Jiyu’s ranking in the Divine Fire Tower became seventh!

"No way!"

He finally erupted in anger, "Great Elder, I demand another challenge of Divine Fire Tower!"

"Such nonsense!"

Nearby, the Great Elder frowned, "Leaving aside your recent attempt, the Divine Fire Tower forbids simultaneous challenges to prevent disturbances in the artifact spirit’s power."

"But I..."

Long Jiyu flushed red, desperate.

"Jiyu."

The Great Elder scolded with barely contained fury, "How can you accomplish great things with such impatience? There are still twenty years until the Fierce Sun Sky Pool opens. Why rush? Use these twenty years to push for breakthroughs. If Ning Guest Elder is insurmountable now, why not aim higher and surpass others ahead of him?"

"I..."

Long Jiyu gritted his teeth, "Yes, Great Elder, your rebuke is well-taken!"

Standing nearby, Chen Ningfeng crossed his arms, savoring the drama. Long Jiyu had always flaunted his status as a True Disciple and treated him, a Second Elder, with disdain. Seeing him humbled brought immense satisfaction.

Yet, Chen Ningfeng was also acutely aware that his own predicament stemmed from being trapped at Nascent Soul Early Stage. Unable to break through, he had lost the respect of the next generation of True Disciples.

...

"Whoosh~~"

Just then, someone flew out of Divine Fire Tower and landed elegantly. It was Ning Daoran.

"Ning Guest Elder."

The Great Elder greeted him, "Does this mark the end of your challenge of Divine Fire Tower?"

"Indeed."

Ning Daoran bowed slightly, "The guardian spirits within Divine Fire Tower are indeed ferocious. I am weary; my challenge ends here."

"Very well."

The Great Elder swirled his sleeve, closing Divine Fire Tower.

Meanwhile, Long Jiyu cast a complex gaze toward Ning Daoran—filled with jealousy, resignation, and simmering anger.

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